Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kuh n-tem]
- /kənˈtɛm/
- /kənˈtem/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kuh n-tem]
- /kənˈtɛm/
Definitions of contemn word
- verb contemn to treat or regard with contempt; scorn 3
- verb transitive contemn to treat or think of with contempt; scorn 3
- verb with object contemn to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt. 1
- noun contemn Treat or regard with contempt. 1
- verb contemn (archaic) To disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt. 0
- verb contemn (law) To commit an offence of contempt, such as contempt of court; to unlawfully flout (e.g. a ruling). 0
Information block about the term
Origin of contemn
First appearance:
before 1375 One of the 22% oldest English words
1375-1425; late Middle English contempnen (< Middle French) < Latin contemnere to despise, scorn, equivalent to con- con- + temnere to slight; see contempt
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Contemn
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
contemn popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 71% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 60% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
contemn usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for contemn
verb contemn
- scorn — open or unqualified contempt; disdain: His face and attitude showed the scorn he felt.
- hate — to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest: to hate the enemy; to hate bigotry.
- disdain — to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
- despise — If you despise something or someone, you dislike them and have a very low opinion of them.
Antonyms for contemn
verb contemn
- admire — If you admire someone or something, you like and respect them very much.
- approve — If you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it.
- like — in like manner with; similarly to; in the manner characteristic of: He works like a beaver.
- love — a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with co
- Words starting with con
- Words starting with cont
- Words starting with conte
- Words starting with contem
- Words starting with contemn